The Boilers Act, 2025
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry / Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
Section
Section 21 Transfer of certificate and provisional order.
Where any other person becomes the owner of a boiler during the period for which a certificate or provisional order relating thereto is in force, the preceding owner or his legal heirs shall be bound to make over to him the certificate or provisional order.
Section 22 Powers of entry of Inspector.
An Inspector may, for the purposes of inspecting or examining a boiler or any steam-pipe attached thereto or to ensure the compliance of the provisions of this Act, rules and regulations made thereunder, at all reasonable times, enter any place or building within the limits of the area for which he has been appointed, in which he has reason to believe that a boiler is in use.
Section 23 Report of accident.
(1) If any accident occurs to a boiler or boiler components, the owner or person in charge thereof shall within twenty-four hours of the accident, report the same in writing to the Inspector.
(2) Every such report shall contain a true description of the nature of the accident and of the injury, if any, caused thereby to the boiler or to the boiler components or to any person, and be detailed in such manner as to enable the Inspector to judge the gravity of the accident.
(3) Every person shall be bound to answer truly to the best of his knowledge and ability every question put to him in writing by the Inspector as to the cause, nature or extent of the accident.
(4) The inquiry in respect of accident under this Act shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government:
Provided that where any death has occurred due to any accident to a boiler or boiler components, an inquiry may be conducted by such person and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) Every such report shall contain a true description of the nature of the accident and of the injury, if any, caused thereby to the boiler or to the boiler components or to any person, and be detailed in such manner as to enable the Inspector to judge the gravity of the accident.
(3) Every person shall be bound to answer truly to the best of his knowledge and ability every question put to him in writing by the Inspector as to the cause, nature or extent of the accident.
(4) The inquiry in respect of accident under this Act shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government:
Provided that where any death has occurred due to any accident to a boiler or boiler components, an inquiry may be conducted by such person and in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Section 24 Appeal to Chief Inspector.
(1) Any person aggrieved by,---
(a) an order made by an Inspector in exercise of any power conferred by or under this Act; or
(b) a refusal by an Inspector to make any order or to grant any certificate which he is required or empowered by or under this Act, to make or grant,
may, within thirty days from the date on which such order or refusal is communicated to him, appeal against the order or refusal to the Chief Inspector.
(2) Every appeal under sub-section (1) shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.
(3) The procedure for disposing of an appeal made under sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government.
(a) an order made by an Inspector in exercise of any power conferred by or under this Act; or
(b) a refusal by an Inspector to make any order or to grant any certificate which he is required or empowered by or under this Act, to make or grant,
may, within thirty days from the date on which such order or refusal is communicated to him, appeal against the order or refusal to the Chief Inspector.
(2) Every appeal under sub-section (1) shall be made in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.
(3) The procedure for disposing of an appeal made under sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government.
Section 25 Appeal to Central Government.
(1) Any person aggrieved by an order made under section 24 by the Chief Inspector---
(a) refusing to register a boiler or to grant or renew a certificate in respect of a boiler;
(b) refusing to grant a certificate having validity for the full period applied for;
(c) refusing to grant a certificate authorising the use of a boiler at the maximum desired pressure;
(d) withdrawing or revoking a certificate or provisional order;
(e) reducing the amount of pressure indicated in any certificate or the period for which such certificate has been granted;
(f) ordering any structural alteration, addition or renewal to be made in or to a boiler or steam-pipe; or
(g) refusing sanction to the making of any structural alteration, addition or renewal to be made in or to a boiler or steam-pipe,
may, within thirty days of the communication to him of such order, prefer an appeal to the Central Government in such form and manner, within such time and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) Any person aggrieved by the refusal of an inspecting authority to grant a certificate of inspection of manufacture or erection may, within thirty days from the date of communication of such refusal, prefer an appeal to the Central Government.
(3) The procedure for disposing of an appeal shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(a) refusing to register a boiler or to grant or renew a certificate in respect of a boiler;
(b) refusing to grant a certificate having validity for the full period applied for;
(c) refusing to grant a certificate authorising the use of a boiler at the maximum desired pressure;
(d) withdrawing or revoking a certificate or provisional order;
(e) reducing the amount of pressure indicated in any certificate or the period for which such certificate has been granted;
(f) ordering any structural alteration, addition or renewal to be made in or to a boiler or steam-pipe; or
(g) refusing sanction to the making of any structural alteration, addition or renewal to be made in or to a boiler or steam-pipe,
may, within thirty days of the communication to him of such order, prefer an appeal to the Central Government in such form and manner, within such time and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) Any person aggrieved by the refusal of an inspecting authority to grant a certificate of inspection of manufacture or erection may, within thirty days from the date of communication of such refusal, prefer an appeal to the Central Government.
(3) The procedure for disposing of an appeal shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Section 26 Application for revision of order.
(1) Any person aggrieved by an order of the Central Government made under section 25 may, within sixty days of the communication to him of such order, make an application to the Central Government for a revision of its order.
(2) Every application for revision of order under this section shall be made in such form and manner, within such time and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) Every application for revision of order under this section shall be made in such form and manner, within such time and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Section 27 Minor penalties.
Any owner of a boiler who refuses or without reasonable excuse fails,---
(i) to surrender a provisional order as required by sub-section (2) of section 14; or
(ii) to produce a certificate or provisional order when duly called upon to do so under section 20; or
(iii) to make over to the new owner of a boiler a certificate or provisional order as required by section 21; or
(iv) to report an accident to a boiler or boiler components when so required under section 23,
shall be liable to penalty which may extend to five thousand rupees.
(i) to surrender a provisional order as required by sub-section (2) of section 14; or
(ii) to produce a certificate or provisional order when duly called upon to do so under section 20; or
(iii) to make over to the new owner of a boiler a certificate or provisional order as required by section 21; or
(iv) to report an accident to a boiler or boiler components when so required under section 23,
shall be liable to penalty which may extend to five thousand rupees.
Section 28 Penalties for illegal use of boiler.
Any owner of a boiler who,---
(a) in any case in which a certificate or provisional order is required for the use of the boiler under this Act, uses the boiler either without any such certificate or order, or at a higher pressure than that allowed thereby; or
(b) uses or permits to be used a boiler which has been transferred from one State to another without such transfer having been reported as required under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11; or
(c) fails to cause the register number allotted to the boiler under this Act to be permanently marked on the boiler as required under sub-section (8) of section 12,
shall be liable to penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees and in the case of a continuing contravention, with an additional penalty which may extend to one thousand rupees for each day after the first day during which the contravention continues.
(a) in any case in which a certificate or provisional order is required for the use of the boiler under this Act, uses the boiler either without any such certificate or order, or at a higher pressure than that allowed thereby; or
(b) uses or permits to be used a boiler which has been transferred from one State to another without such transfer having been reported as required under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11; or
(c) fails to cause the register number allotted to the boiler under this Act to be permanently marked on the boiler as required under sub-section (8) of section 12,
shall be liable to penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees and in the case of a continuing contravention, with an additional penalty which may extend to one thousand rupees for each day after the first day during which the contravention continues.
Section 29 Punishment for certain offences.
Any person who,---
(a) makes any structural alteration, addition or renewal in or to a boiler without first obtaining the authorisation of the Chief Inspector when so required by section 17, or to a steam-pipe without first informing the Chief Inspector under section 18; or
(b) tampers with a safety valve of a boiler so as to render it inoperative at the maximum pressure at which the use of the boiler is authorised under this Act; or
(c) allows another person to go inside a boiler without effectively disconnecting the same from any steam or hot water connection with any other boiler or from fuel mains, in accordance with the regulations made under this Act,
shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.
(a) makes any structural alteration, addition or renewal in or to a boiler without first obtaining the authorisation of the Chief Inspector when so required by section 17, or to a steam-pipe without first informing the Chief Inspector under section 18; or
(b) tampers with a safety valve of a boiler so as to render it inoperative at the maximum pressure at which the use of the boiler is authorised under this Act; or
(c) allows another person to go inside a boiler without effectively disconnecting the same from any steam or hot water connection with any other boiler or from fuel mains, in accordance with the regulations made under this Act,
shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.
Section 30 Penalty for tampering with register mark.
(1) Whoever removes, alters, defaces, renders invisible or otherwise tampers with the register number marked on a boiler in accordance with the provisions of this Act, shall be liable to penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees.
(2) Whoever fraudulently marks upon a boiler a register number which has not been assigned to it under this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.
(2) Whoever fraudulently marks upon a boiler a register number which has not been assigned to it under this Act, shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.
Section 31 Penalty for breach of rules or regulations.
Any rule or regulation made under this Act may direct that a person contravening such rule or regulation shall be liable, in the case of a first contravention, with penalty which may extend to one thousand rupees and in the case of any subsequent contravention, with penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees.
Section 32 Recovery of penalties.
(1) All penalties, fines and costs levied under this Act shall be recoverable as arrears of land-revenue.
(2) The penalties, fines and costs levied under this Act shall be utilised in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.
(2) The penalties, fines and costs levied under this Act shall be utilised in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.
Section 33 Limitation and previous sanction for prosecution.
No prosecution for an offence made punishable by or under this Act shall be instituted except within twenty-four months from the date of the commission of the offence and no such prosecution shall be instituted without the previous sanction of the Chief Inspector.
Section 34 Trial of offences.
No offence made punishable by or under this Act shall be tried by a court inferior to that of a Magistrate of the first class.
Section 35 Adjudication of penalties.
(1) The State Government or the Union territory administration may, for the purposes of determining the penalties under sections 27, 28, sub-section (1) of section 30 and section 31, authorise the District Magistrate or the Additional District Magistrate having jurisdiction, to be the adjudicating officer to hold an inquiry and impose penalty, in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government or the Central Government, as the case may be.
(2) The adjudicating officer may summon and enforce the attendance of any person acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case to give evidence or to produce any document, which in the opinion of the adjudicating officer, may be useful for, or relevant to, the subject-matter of the inquiry, and if, on such inquiry, he is satisfied that the person concerned has failed to comply with any or all of the provisions of section 27 or section 28 or sub-section (1) of section 30 or section 31, he may by an order, impose penalty on such person stating therein the contravention:
Provided that no such penalty shall be imposed without giving the person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
(2) The adjudicating officer may summon and enforce the attendance of any person acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case to give evidence or to produce any document, which in the opinion of the adjudicating officer, may be useful for, or relevant to, the subject-matter of the inquiry, and if, on such inquiry, he is satisfied that the person concerned has failed to comply with any or all of the provisions of section 27 or section 28 or sub-section (1) of section 30 or section 31, he may by an order, impose penalty on such person stating therein the contravention:
Provided that no such penalty shall be imposed without giving the person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
Section 36 Appeal against orders of adjudicating officer.
(1) Any person aggrieved by the order passed by the adjudicating officer under section 35, may prefer an appeal to an officer not below the rank of Secretary to the State Government or the Union territory administration specially authorised by that Government or administration in this behalf, to be an appellate authority, within sixty days from the date of receipt of the order, in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the State Government or the Central Government, as the case may be.
(2) An appeal may be admitted after the expiry of the period of sixty days if the appellant satisfies the appellate authority that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within that period.
(3) The appellate authority may, after giving the parties to the appeal an opportunity of being heard, pass such order as he may think fit.
(4) An appeal under sub-section (1) shall be disposed of within sixty days from the date of filing of the appeal.
(2) An appeal may be admitted after the expiry of the period of sixty days if the appellant satisfies the appellate authority that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within that period.
(3) The appellate authority may, after giving the parties to the appeal an opportunity of being heard, pass such order as he may think fit.
(4) An appeal under sub-section (1) shall be disposed of within sixty days from the date of filing of the appeal.
Section 37 Power of Central Government to give directions.
The Central Government may give such directions as it may deem necessary, to a State Government for carrying into effect any of the provisions to this Act and the State Government shall comply with such directions.
Section 38 Exemptions.
(1) The State Government may, by notification, exclude any area as may be specified therein, from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act.
(2) The State Government may, by notification, exempt from the operation of this Act, subject to such conditions and restrictions as it thinks fit, any boiler or class or type of boilers used exclusively for the heating of buildings or the supply of hot water.
(3) In case of any emergency, the State Government may, by general or special order in writing, exempt any boiler or steam-pipe or any class of boilers or steam-pipes from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act.
(4) If the State Government is satisfied that having regard to the material, design or construction of boilers and to the need for the rapid industrialisation of the country, it is necessary so to do, it may, by notification and subject to such conditions as may be specified by regulations, exempt any boiler or boiler components in the whole or any part of the State from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act.
(2) The State Government may, by notification, exempt from the operation of this Act, subject to such conditions and restrictions as it thinks fit, any boiler or class or type of boilers used exclusively for the heating of buildings or the supply of hot water.
(3) In case of any emergency, the State Government may, by general or special order in writing, exempt any boiler or steam-pipe or any class of boilers or steam-pipes from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act.
(4) If the State Government is satisfied that having regard to the material, design or construction of boilers and to the need for the rapid industrialisation of the country, it is necessary so to do, it may, by notification and subject to such conditions as may be specified by regulations, exempt any boiler or boiler components in the whole or any part of the State from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act.
Section 39 Power of Central Government to make rules.
(1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:---
(a) the term of office of the members and the manner of their nomination under sub-section (3) of section 3;
(b) the qualifications and experience of Technical Adviser under sub-section (1) of section 4;
(c) the salary and allowances and terms and conditions of service of Technical Adviser under sub-section (2) of section 4;
(d) the qualifications and experience of Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspectors and Inspectors under sub-section (5) of section 5;
(e) the boiler which shall be in the charge of persons holding certificate of proficiency or competency under clause (e) of sub-section (1) of section 11;
(f) the qualifications, experience, fee and the procedure for obtaining a certificate of proficiency or competency under sub-section (2) of section 11;
(g) the person who shall conduct inquiry and the manner of conducting such inquiry into the accident causing death under the proviso to sub-section (4) of section 23;
(h) the form, manner, time and fee for preferring appeal to the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 25;
(i) the procedure for disposing of an appeal under sub-section (3) of section 25;
(j) the form, manner, time and fee for filing revision application under sub-section (2) of section 26;
(k) the manner of holding inquiry and imposing penalty under sub-section (1) of section 35;
(l) the form and manner of preferring appeal under sub-section (1) of section 36.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:---
(a) the term of office of the members and the manner of their nomination under sub-section (3) of section 3;
(b) the qualifications and experience of Technical Adviser under sub-section (1) of section 4;
(c) the salary and allowances and terms and conditions of service of Technical Adviser under sub-section (2) of section 4;
(d) the qualifications and experience of Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspectors and Inspectors under sub-section (5) of section 5;
(e) the boiler which shall be in the charge of persons holding certificate of proficiency or competency under clause (e) of sub-section (1) of section 11;
(f) the qualifications, experience, fee and the procedure for obtaining a certificate of proficiency or competency under sub-section (2) of section 11;
(g) the person who shall conduct inquiry and the manner of conducting such inquiry into the accident causing death under the proviso to sub-section (4) of section 23;
(h) the form, manner, time and fee for preferring appeal to the Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 25;
(i) the procedure for disposing of an appeal under sub-section (3) of section 25;
(j) the form, manner, time and fee for filing revision application under sub-section (2) of section 26;
(k) the manner of holding inquiry and imposing penalty under sub-section (1) of section 35;
(l) the form and manner of preferring appeal under sub-section (1) of section 36.
Section 40 Power of Board to make regulations.
(1) The Board may, by notification and subject to the condition of previous publication, make regulations not inconsistent with this Act and the rules made thereunder, to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:---
(a) the manner of recognition of person as competent person under clause (g) of section 2;
(b) the manner of recognition of institution as inspecting authority under clause (j) of section 2;
(c) the manner of recognition of competent authority under sub-section (1) of section 6;
(d) the welders certificate under sub-section (2) of section 6;
(e) the procedure for examination and grant of welders certificate under sub-section (3) of section 6;
(f) the other conditions and fee and for grant of welders certificate under sub-section (4) of section 6;
(g) the facilities for design and construction of boiler and boiler components under clause (a) of section 7;
(h) the specifications for material, mounting and fitting used in the construction of boiler or boiler components under clause (c) of section 7;
(i) the stages of inspection during manufacture of boiler or boiler components by the inspecting authority under sub-section (1) of section 8;
(j) the procedure for inspection and certification of boiler or boiler components by the inspecting authority under sub-section (2) of section 8;
(k) the standard for design and drawing of boiler or boiler components under clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 8;
(l) the fee for inspection of boiler or boiler components during manufacture under sub-section (4) of section 8;
(m) the procedure for inspection and certification of a boiler or boiler components during erection under sub-section (2) of section 9;
(n) the standards for erection of a boiler; and the form of certificate of inspection under clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 9;
(o) the fee payable for inspection during erection under sub-section (4) of section 9;
(p) the facilities for repairing of boiler and boiler components under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 10;
(q) the standards for design and drawings of the boiler or boiler components, and the specifications for material, mounting and fitting used in the repair of the boiler or boiler components, under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 10;
(r) the measures for the safety of person working inside a boiler under clause (f) of sub-section (1) of section 10;
(s) the manner of obtaining a certificate under sub-section (2) of section 10;
(t) the manner of reporting of transfer of boiler under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11;
(u) the form along with the drawings, specification, certificate and other documents for registration under sub-section (1) of section 12;
(v) the form for grant of certificate to the owner authorising the use of the boiler under sub-section (6) of section 12;
(w) the manner and time in which the register number shall be marked on the boiler under sub-section (8) of section 12;
(x) the form, documents and fee for renewal of certificate under sub-section (3) of section 13;
(y) the manner for inspection of the boiler under sub-section (4) of section 13;
(z) the validity period of the certificate under clause (a) of sub-section (5) of section 13;
(za) the standards for boiler or boiler components under clause (b) of sub-section (5) of section 13;
(zb) the terms and conditions for the renewal of certificate under sub-section (6) of section 13;
(zc) the particulars of proposed alteration, addition or renewal of steam-pipe and other boiler components under sub-section (1) of section 18;
(zd) the manner of preparation of the boiler or boiler components for examination under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 19;
(ze) the drawing, specification, certificate and other particulars to be provided to the competent person under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 19;
(zf) the manner of disconnecting the boiler under clause (c) of section 29;
(zg) the conditions for exemption of any boiler or boiler components under sub-section (4) of section 38;
(zh) for any other matter relating to design, manufacture, erection and use of boiler and boiler components which is to be regulated by the Board.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:---
(a) the manner of recognition of person as competent person under clause (g) of section 2;
(b) the manner of recognition of institution as inspecting authority under clause (j) of section 2;
(c) the manner of recognition of competent authority under sub-section (1) of section 6;
(d) the welders certificate under sub-section (2) of section 6;
(e) the procedure for examination and grant of welders certificate under sub-section (3) of section 6;
(f) the other conditions and fee and for grant of welders certificate under sub-section (4) of section 6;
(g) the facilities for design and construction of boiler and boiler components under clause (a) of section 7;
(h) the specifications for material, mounting and fitting used in the construction of boiler or boiler components under clause (c) of section 7;
(i) the stages of inspection during manufacture of boiler or boiler components by the inspecting authority under sub-section (1) of section 8;
(j) the procedure for inspection and certification of boiler or boiler components by the inspecting authority under sub-section (2) of section 8;
(k) the standard for design and drawing of boiler or boiler components under clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 8;
(l) the fee for inspection of boiler or boiler components during manufacture under sub-section (4) of section 8;
(m) the procedure for inspection and certification of a boiler or boiler components during erection under sub-section (2) of section 9;
(n) the standards for erection of a boiler; and the form of certificate of inspection under clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 9;
(o) the fee payable for inspection during erection under sub-section (4) of section 9;
(p) the facilities for repairing of boiler and boiler components under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 10;
(q) the standards for design and drawings of the boiler or boiler components, and the specifications for material, mounting and fitting used in the repair of the boiler or boiler components, under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 10;
(r) the measures for the safety of person working inside a boiler under clause (f) of sub-section (1) of section 10;
(s) the manner of obtaining a certificate under sub-section (2) of section 10;
(t) the manner of reporting of transfer of boiler under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11;
(u) the form along with the drawings, specification, certificate and other documents for registration under sub-section (1) of section 12;
(v) the form for grant of certificate to the owner authorising the use of the boiler under sub-section (6) of section 12;
(w) the manner and time in which the register number shall be marked on the boiler under sub-section (8) of section 12;
(x) the form, documents and fee for renewal of certificate under sub-section (3) of section 13;
(y) the manner for inspection of the boiler under sub-section (4) of section 13;
(z) the validity period of the certificate under clause (a) of sub-section (5) of section 13;
(za) the standards for boiler or boiler components under clause (b) of sub-section (5) of section 13;
(zb) the terms and conditions for the renewal of certificate under sub-section (6) of section 13;
(zc) the particulars of proposed alteration, addition or renewal of steam-pipe and other boiler components under sub-section (1) of section 18;
(zd) the manner of preparation of the boiler or boiler components for examination under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 19;
(ze) the drawing, specification, certificate and other particulars to be provided to the competent person under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 19;
(zf) the manner of disconnecting the boiler under clause (c) of section 29;
(zg) the conditions for exemption of any boiler or boiler components under sub-section (4) of section 38;
(zh) for any other matter relating to design, manufacture, erection and use of boiler and boiler components which is to be regulated by the Board.